South Africa lightning strike kills 7 people

JOHANNESBURG 
South African police say seven people from neighboring families have been killed in a lightning strike.

Police spokesman Vincent Mdunge said the victims were members of two families in adjacent homes.

The exact circumstances of the tragedy remained unclear, though police said the victims were burned beyond recognition.

Among the dead were four children, including two toddlers. One other family member remains hospitalized in critical condition following the Sunday afternoon storm in Eshowe, located in KwaZulu-Natal province.

The family members were the latest victims of deadly storms in South Africa. In neighboring Eastern Cape province, four others were killed and 20 injured in a New Year's Day lightning strike.